Amid Pandemic, FPTR Advances Physical Therapy Research

Over $300,000 to be invested on research improving the quality and delivery of patient care, including COVID-19, stroke, and hospital readmission.

Despite the economic challenges created by the COVID-19 crisis, the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research (FPTR) invested over $300,000 in promising research. FPTR has stewarded financial investments to ensure continued funding. This year, FPTR awarded grants to four emerging investigators and extended funding on a 2018 grant.

“Like many nonprofits, FPTR has been greatly affected by the current market volatility and economic disruptions,” said FPTR President, Paul A. Rockar, Jr., PT, DPT, MS, FAPTA. “Over the years, FPTR has consistently funded physical therapy research, and thanks to our dedicated donors, this year will be no different. We are proud to offer funding to this year’s grant recipients and eagerly await to follow along their research journey.”

Research projects funded by FPTR are carefully selected and undergo a rigorous review process modeled after the National Institutes of Health.

This year’s grant recipients are:

• Adele Myszenski, PT, MSPT, of Henry Ford Hospital
  Myszenski was awarded the $40,000 Acute Care Research Grant (ACRG) for her project titled, “Characteristics and Impact of Physical Therapy for Hospitalized Adult Patients with COVID19: An Observational Retrospective Study.” This award was made possible by a donation by the Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy.

• Kevin McLaughlin, PT, DPT, of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  McLaughlin was awarded the $70,000 Moffat Geriatric Physical Therapy Research Grant (MGPTRG) for his project titled, “National Prevalence of Physical Therapy Frontloading and the Impact on Hospital Readmission and Physical Function Among Medicare Beneficiaries.” This award was made possible by the Marilyn Moffat Fund for Geriatric Research and a generous donation from Fox Rehabilitation.

• Kristan Leech, PT, DPT, PhD, of University of Southern California
  Leech was awarded the $100,000 Magistro Family Foundation Research Grant (MFFRG) for her project, “A Novel, Comprehensive Approach to Gait Rehabilitation Post-Stroke.” This grant is primarily funded by the Magistro Family Foundation Endowment Fund with additional funding provided by the Guglielmo Fund and the Legacy Research Fund.
• Douglas Haladay, PT, DPT, PhD, CSCS, of University of South Florida
  Haladay was awarded the $40,000 Education Research Grant for his project, Development of a Novel Evidence Based Practice-specific Entrustable Professional Activity for Doctor of Physical Therapy Student Clinical Education.” This grant is generously supported by the Academy of Physical Therapy Education.

FPTR also elected to extend an additional $120,000 to Marcie Harris-Hayes, PT, DPT, of Washington University in St. Louis. Harris-Hayes was awarded the $240,000 Paris Patla Musculoskeletal Grant in 2018 for her project titled, “Comparison of Movement Pattern Training and Manual Therapy for Pre-arthritic Hip Disorders (PAHD).” The Paris Patla Musculoskeletal Grant is a high-priority, high-impact grant that provides awardees with $240,000 over two years, with the option for a third year of funding based on progress.

This grant was made possible by the Stanley Paris and Catherine Patla Fund.

The Foundation for Physical Therapy was established in 1979 as a national, independent nonprofit organization to fund physical therapy research. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $19 million in research grants, fellowships and scholarships. Many of today’s leading physical therapy researchers, clinicians, and academicians began their careers with this support.

To donate or learn more, visit www.Foundation4pt.org or call 800/875-1378.

###